By Darin 
Dwight Stephenson emerged from the University of Alabama as a center destined for greatness. Though his NFL career with the Miami Dolphins was cut short after just eight dominant seasons, Stephenson’s impact was immediate and profound. Anchoring the Dolphins’ offensive line with unmatched speed and intensity, he earned five consecutive All-Pro selections, earned the 1985 NFL Man of the Year Award, and was enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1998, cementing his legacy as arguably the greatest center in football history.
The Legend
November 20, 1957 -Murphreesville, North Carolina – Dwight Stephenson, the talented Center from the University of Alabama. Stephenson was an All-American with the Crimson Tide. According to profootballhof.com, Dwight was selected in the second round of the 1980 NFL Draft by the Miami Dolphins. What a pick he was, as he made the All-Pro team in 5 straight seasons from 1983 through 1987 and played in Super Bowl XVII. Unfortunately, Dwight Stephenson’s career was cut short by a severe knee injury, but in just 8 seasons, he was recognized as one of the best linemen ever, and the Pro Football Hall of Fame enshrined him in 1998.
Conclusion
Dwight Stephenson’s career is a powerful testament to elite talent constrained by circumstance. In just 114 games, he established himself as the premier offensive lineman of the 1980s, serving as the quiet, yet explosive, anchor for the Miami Dolphins and quarterback Dan Marino. From helping Alabama win two National Championships to earning five straight Pro Bowl nods and two Super Bowl starts, his trajectory was nothing short of legendary. Though his severe knee injury in 1987 silenced one of the game’s most dominant forces, his 1998 induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame confirmed the consensus: even in just eight seasons, Dwight Stephenson was one of the best to ever play.
Verified List of Accolades and Football Accomplishments
College Career (University of Alabama, 1976-1979)
- 2x National Champion (1978, 1979).
- 2x Second-team All-American (1978, 1979).
- 3x First-team All-SEC (1977, 1978, 1979).
- Jacobs Blocking Trophy (1979 – Awarded to the SEC’s best blocker).
- Played under legendary coach Bear Bryant, who called him “The greatest center he has ever coached.”
Professional Career (Miami Dolphins, 1980-1987)
- Pro Football Hall of Fame Inductee (1998).
- NFL 1980s All-Decade Team selection.
- NFL 100th Anniversary All-Time Team selection.
- 5x Pro Bowl Selection (1983, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987).
- 4x First-team All-Pro (1984, 1985, 1986, 1987).
- 1x Second-team All-Pro (1983).
- Walter Payton/NFL Man of the Year Award (1985).
- Started in Super Bowl XVII and Super Bowl XIX.
- Anchored the Dolphins’ offensive line that allowed the fewest sacks in the NFL for a record six consecutive seasons (1982–1987).
- Drafted in the Second Round (48th overall) of the 1980 NFL Draft.
- Miami Dolphins Honor Roll Inductee.
- Career Stats: Played in 114 games over 8 seasons.